A dead fin whale has washed up on a beach in Cornwall.
Photos: Gary Hawkins/Cornwall Wildlife Trust
The 17m-long whale was first spotted floating in the sea near Pendeen before it washed up 22 miles away on Porthtowan beach in north Cornwall. It's not known how the whale died, but Cornwall Wildlife Trust say it is likely that it was hit by a ship.
Garry Hawkins, one of the Marine Stranding Network's team members, described the whale as the size of an HGV lorry. He said: 'It was amazing to attend this animal in death, but can you imagine a mammal this size swimming in our waters? It's very humbling.'
Samples from the whale have been taken and sent to the Institute of Zoology in London. Cornwall Wildlife Trust are asking people to stay away from the whale as it poses a health hazard and there is a risk of being cut off by the tide on the beach.
Sightings of fin whales off the coast of Cornwall are reported almost every year over the winter months. They are the second largest animals in the world.
